Tag: aircraft

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FOUR AND A HALF GENERATION AIRCRAFT

Categorization of fighter jets in generations is a classification system used around the world. The basic classification into five generations is widely accepted and recognized. Some accounts have subdivided the 4th generation into 4 and 4.5, or 4+ and 4++.

Four and half generation jet fighters (late 1980s and into the 90s)

The concept of having a half generation increment stemmed from a forced reduction in military spending at the end of the Cold War.

It became more cost-effective to add new improved features to existing platforms. Later variants of 4th gen aircraft progressively enhanced their characteristic technologies and incorporated some of the emerging fifth generation technologies (such as high-capacity digital communications), leading them to be classified as an intermediate generation (4.5 or 4+ or 4++).

So 4.5 generation aircraft are basically fourth generation fighters with basic characteristics of fourth generation planes but with enhanced capabilities provided by more advanced technologies that might be seen in fifth generation fighters. Many of these types are in frontline service in 2021.

These aircraft have advanced digital avionics based on microchip technology and highly integrated systems. They are adapted to operate in high-tech warfare where not only avionic but also super manoeuvrability are the key to success.

Their features include stealth, radar absorbent materials, thrust vector controlled engines, greater weapons carriage capacity and extended range and endurance.

The addition of an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is a significant enough game-changing feature. The AESA radar allows fighter aircraft to perform a limited Airborne Early Warning and Control function.

Advances in computer technology and data links also allow these  fighter aircraft to be integrated into a network centric battle space where fighter aircraft have much greater scope to conduct multi-role missions.

According to available sources, fighters in this generation include the following:-

Boeing F-18E/F Super Hornet
Sukhoi Su-30
Sukhoi Su-33
Sukhoi Su-35
Eurofighter Typhoon
Saab Gripen
Dassault Rafale

Coming Up: Generation wise description (5th and 6th generation)

References:

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/

https://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Air-Combat-Seminar-summary-AndrewMcL.pdf

https://www.fighterworld.com.au/az-of-fighter-aircraft/five-generations-of-jets

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/2005/articles/oct_05/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_fighter

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/?utm_source=Army%20Technology&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Must%20Read&utm_content=Image

https://migflug.com/jetflights/fighter-jet-generations/

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/history/q0182.shtml

Comments and value additions are most welcome

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FOURTH GENERATION FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

Categorization of fighter jets in generations is a classification system used around the world. The basic classification into five generations is widely accepted and recognized. Some accounts have subdivided the 4th generation into 4 and 4.5, or 4+ and 4++.

Fourth generation jet fighters (1970 to late 1980s)

 

These fighters debuted in the mid-1970s and are still in use in most of the air forces of the world. This generation is the longest lasting of the five generations so far.

 

This generation fighter jets are mostly multirole aircraft with the ability to switch and swing roles between air-to-air and air-to-ground, as opposed to the previous role-dedicated aircraft. This in turn blurred the distinction between air defence and ground attack missions.

 

Fly-by-wire control systems improved the maneuverability of these aircraft at the expense of aerodynamic stability.

 

These aircraft introduced more efficient and powerful turbofan jet engines, allowing thrust-to-weight ratios of greater than one.

 

Use of composite materials in their construction revolutionized the stealth technology.

 

Electronics was the most essential part of these aircraft including ‘look-down’ doppler fire-control radars, integral and podded EO/IR targeting sensors, laser and GPS- guided precision weapons, active air-to-air missiles, heads-up displays, and improved electronic warfare systems.

 

According to available sources, fighters in this generation include the following:-

 

  • Grumman F-14 Tomcat
  • McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
  • General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
  • McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet
  • McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II
  • Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29
  • Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-31
  • Sukhoi Su-27
  • Yakovlev Yak-38
  • Panavia Tornado
  • Dassault Mirage 2000
  • Saab Viggen
  • Mitsubishi F-2
  • AIDC Ching-Kuo
  • Chengdu J-10
  • Hindustan LCA

 

Coming Up: Generation wise description (4.5 to 6th)

References:

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/

https://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Air-Combat-Seminar-summary-AndrewMcL.pdf

https://www.fighterworld.com.au/az-of-fighter-aircraft/five-generations-of-jets

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/2005/articles/oct_05/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_fighter

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/?utm_source=Army%20Technology&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Must%20Read&utm_content=Image

https://migflug.com/jetflights/fighter-jet-generations/

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/history/q0182.shtml

 

Comments and value additions are most welcome

Posted on

THIRD GENERATION FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

Categorization of fighter jets in generations is a classification system used around the world. The basic classification into five generations is widely accepted and recognized. Some accounts have subdivided the 4th generation into 4 and 4.5, or 4+ and 4++.

 

Third generation jet fighters (early 1960s to 1970)

  • The Third generation of fighters were designed to be multirole fighters capable of performing both air defense and ground attack missions. They could carry a wide range of weapons and other ordnance such as air-to-ground missiles and laser-guided bombs, while also able to engage in air-to-air interception beyond visual range.

 

  • These aircraft were capable of sustained supersonic flight, carried improved fire control radars and semi-active air-to-air missiles and the first generation of tactical electronic warfare systems.

 

 

  • The advent of more economical turbofan engines brought extended range and sortie times, increased thrust, better performance and maneuverability. Some designers even resorted to variable geometry or vectored thrust.

 

  • This generation witnessed significant enhancements in the avionic suites and weapon The supporting avionics included pulse-doppler radar, off-sight targeting and terrain-warning systems. Doppler radar supported a ‘lookdown/shoot-down’ capability, and with off-bore-sight targeting and semi-active guided radio frequency missiles.

 

  • The major change brought about by this generation aircraft was that it was no longer necessary to visually acquire opponents to neutralize them.

 

According to available sources, fighters in this generation include the following:-

  • McDonnell Douglas F4H (F-4) Phantom II
  • Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger II
  • Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23
  • Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-25
  • Sukhoi Su-15
  • Sukhoi Su-17/20/22
  • Tupolev Tu-28P
  • Yakovlev Yak-28
  • British Aerospace Harrier
  • Dassault Mirage F.1
  • Dassault Super Etendard
  • Shenyang J-8II

 

 

Coming Up: Generation wise description (4th to 6th)

References:

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/

https://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Air-Combat-Seminar-summary-AndrewMcL.pdf

https://www.fighterworld.com.au/az-of-fighter-aircraft/five-generations-of-jets

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/2005/articles/oct_05/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_fighter

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/?utm_source=Army%20Technology&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Must%20Read&utm_content=Image

https://migflug.com/jetflights/fighter-jet-generations/

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/history/q0182.shtml

 

Comments and value additions are most welcome